Civic leaders call for city wireless network

November 14, 2005
The White Sox are world champions, but where is Chicago when it comes to wireless broadband access? Are we behind Philadelphia, San Francisco and even our neighbor to the north, Milwaukee?
A City Council task force co-chaired by Ald. Ed Burke (14th) and Margaret Laurino (39th) is looking at the issue. Burke and Laurino have done yeopeople's work pushing for improved Internet service for the neighborhoods. City of Chicago CIO Chris O'Brien is hot on the issue. The Metropolitan Planning Council's vice president for planning and policy, Scott Goldstein, is a longtime and thoughtful advocate.
Burke and Laurino recently concluded community hearings at Truman College, the West Side Learning Center and the South Shore Cultural Center. They heard a consistent message. "People want this service within their community," says Laurino. "If we are capable of bringing it to the neighborhoods, they are going to use it.
"Our goal is a wireless network from Rogers Park to Englewood. We're not tech specialists, but we know what the neighborhoods need. If you want to apply for a job at Jewel-Osco you have to get online. Teachers need to communicate with parents online."

Source: http://www.suntimes.com/